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Aunt Hettie's Red Okra

Aunt Hettie's Red Okra

Regular price $2.95 USD
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Aunt Hettie's Red
Abelmoschus esculentus

65 days — The stalks and leaves of 'Aunt Hettie's Red' okra are a beautiful burgundy-red color with the pods being more of a glossy red. They have a wonderful taste. The plants typically reach a height of about five feet but under optimum conditions, they have been grown to a height of greater than ten feet.

'Aunt Hettie's' okra was introduced to the public in 2005 by David Pendergrass of Tennessee from whose family it originated. He told us the following about this heirloom red okra:
"It was passed on to me by a cousin who received it from my Great Aunt Hettie Jane Tidwell [b. 1918, d. 1998] in the early 1970s. How far it dates back in our family’s history is not clear, but it is known that Aunt Hettie grew it for many, many years."
Each packet contains two grams, which is approximately 30 seeds.
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Planting Instructions: Sow seeds ¾ inches deep directly in the garden after the soil has warmed or start seeds in pots and transplant after all danger of frost has passed.

Since okra has tough seed coats, you can either scarify or soak seeds prior to sowing to help improve germination. When soaking the seeds, use warm (but not hot) water and only for 4 to 6 hours.

After the plants are about two inches tall, thin them to a spacing of one plant every eighteen inches, removing the weakest looking plants in the process.

Harvest the pods when young and tender. Older pods become tough and fibrous. If the pods are allowed to mature, the plant will cease production. Okra thrives in warm weather and is used in soups, stews, boiled or fried.